1950s America wasn't so kind to a lot of people, mainly minorities and women. Most people know this and today in media, the 40s-60s is a typical era to represent. That's why I wasn't sure if I'd be impressed with The Marvelous Ms. Maisel, especially centered around a white, although Jewish, woman. But I was wrong. TMMM isn't just another 1950s show, it doesn't really glamorize the era. First, to set the era, the show establishes underground comedy shows, beauty department stores, and of course, sexism protests. Because it was an hour each episode (8 episodes), TMMM was capable of establishing these broad concepts that all contribute to its underlying theme: sexism in the 50s. Midge and her mother wear their makeup to bed, and only take it off after their husbands fall asleep. Cursing in a comedy skit is considered obscene and Midge gets arrested for it, and indecent exposure, multiple times. Midge gets her marriage decisions cleared by her father. Her mother and father blame her for Joel "leaving", when really he cheated on Midge with his secretary. They blame her for not taking him back! And these familial pressures are only worse because she's Jewish!
In the comedy shows, Midge cleans the floor for the most part. And then when she fucks up, she takes it to heart. But through Susie's coaching, Midge gets back and does it all over again. She is not defeated like Joel was. There are a lot of parallels drawn between her and Joel. Joel is unsuccessful at his job, while Midge is popular and makes great commission at her beauty counter job. But who is more respected? Midge's father throws a fit when he hears that she's working at the department store.
Joel is unfunny as hell, and uses other people's jokes. Midge is funny and jokes about her life experiences. It is really an interesting way to express the theme. Instead of a show telling the viewer about how sexism was back then etcetera, TMMM chooses to tell in a way that is comedic. Midge goes off on rants about Joel's affair, usually in a drunken stupor, but it's hilarious. But it also contains meaning and tells of the true dark underbelly of the sexism that Midge has to go through.
I hated the end. I hated that she even considered getting back with Joel. But maybe, I think, it was written to comment on the dependence women were taught to have back then. Maybe Midge was only as strong and independent as she could be, at that time, and in that era. The Marvelous Ms. Maisel pisses me off in a way that makes me think about how horrible it was back then. I wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut if I were born in that era. Not to say that sexism doesn't exist today, I would argue it's harder being a minority these days, but there are "larger" issues at stake. The Handmaid's Tale is another great show that speaks about similar themes as TMMM does. But in a frightening way. It paints a dystopia that is truly the most realistic I have seen. TMMM tells of the past while THmT tells of the future. Interesting pair to watch together.
In the comedy shows, Midge cleans the floor for the most part. And then when she fucks up, she takes it to heart. But through Susie's coaching, Midge gets back and does it all over again. She is not defeated like Joel was. There are a lot of parallels drawn between her and Joel. Joel is unsuccessful at his job, while Midge is popular and makes great commission at her beauty counter job. But who is more respected? Midge's father throws a fit when he hears that she's working at the department store.
Joel is unfunny as hell, and uses other people's jokes. Midge is funny and jokes about her life experiences. It is really an interesting way to express the theme. Instead of a show telling the viewer about how sexism was back then etcetera, TMMM chooses to tell in a way that is comedic. Midge goes off on rants about Joel's affair, usually in a drunken stupor, but it's hilarious. But it also contains meaning and tells of the true dark underbelly of the sexism that Midge has to go through.
I hated the end. I hated that she even considered getting back with Joel. But maybe, I think, it was written to comment on the dependence women were taught to have back then. Maybe Midge was only as strong and independent as she could be, at that time, and in that era. The Marvelous Ms. Maisel pisses me off in a way that makes me think about how horrible it was back then. I wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut if I were born in that era. Not to say that sexism doesn't exist today, I would argue it's harder being a minority these days, but there are "larger" issues at stake. The Handmaid's Tale is another great show that speaks about similar themes as TMMM does. But in a frightening way. It paints a dystopia that is truly the most realistic I have seen. TMMM tells of the past while THmT tells of the future. Interesting pair to watch together.
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